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Connecting professionals. Sharing knowledge. Advancing best practices
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President's Message
A primary goal of the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter is to provide value to chapter members as well as the community. Thus, the chapter leadership ensures that there are a plethora of avenues for member participation.
In addition to formal events, the chapter hosts three active committees: One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours (Tours) Organizing Committee, Responsible Communities Committee, and the Workforce Housing Taskforce. Contact me if you are interested in joining any of these committees.
At a local level, plan to attend the Friday, August 22 Happy Hour hosted at Sage Restaurant, downtown Sarasota. Our own Bob Bunting, Climate Adaptation Center CEO, is the lead speaker on the Thursday, September 4 Resiliency around the Globe: Local Responses to Hurricanes, Sea Rise, and Sudden Flooding Global Webinar.
Registration opened for the February 25 - 27, 2026 Tours as well as the February 25 Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based Solutions PAD (Professional Advisory Delegation.) The Tours is the inaugural event within the SemiQ East Coast Tours: Land Use & History (1776-2026).
I look forward to welcoming you to the upcoming events.
With Honor,
Holly Elmore
LAI FL Suncoast Chapter President
City of Sarasota skyline image courtesy of Holly Elmore Images.
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August 22 Chapter Happy Hour
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Chapter members and prospective members are invited to enjoy a late-summer Friday, August 22 Happy Hour hosted at Sage Restaurant, downtown Sarasota.
Light bits and a cash bar are provided on the third floor event space within the Sage Restaurant. The event is free, yet registration is required.
We look forward to cheerful conversation as we close out the summer.
REGISTER HERE
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Resiliency around the Globe: Local Responses to Hurricanes, Sea Rise and Sudden Flooding
The September 4, 2025 webinar looks at recent and very severe threats imposed by a warming climate and examines ways in which communities are responding to these threats. From a series of hurricanes raging across Florida’s Gulf Coast, to the recurrent inundation of the waterfront in historic Annapolis, Maryland, to the catastrophic flooding in Valencia, Spain last year, local policymakers, planners and other professionals are urgently working to build resiliency and mitigate future harm.
FL Suncoast Chapter member Bob Bunting, Climate Adaptation Center CEO, is the lead speaker in the webinar. In addition to featuring the devastation, recovery, and current scenario from the 2024 Gulf Coast Hurricane Trilogy, Bob will explain how warming ocean waters are the catalyst for more frequent and more severe weather events.
The webinar is free to attend yet requires registration.
REGISTER HERE
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One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours
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The LAI SemiQ East Coast Tour: Land Use & History (1776-2026) celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a series of tours hosted by the seven Eastern Region chapters: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, FL Suncoast, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. The One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours (Tours)
hosted by the LAI Fl Suncoast Chapter is the first tour in the series. On February 25 – 27, 2026, the FL Suncoast Chapter welcomes distinguished land economics professionals from across the globe to the Sarasota/Bradenton area during the prime winter season. Due to bus limitations, the One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours is limited to 45 out-of-town guests; local chapter members will participate via their own transportation. As detailed in the Tour Itinerary, the tours consist of an opening reception, two days of tours filled with prominent speakers including a two-hour Sarasota Bay History Cruise, and finishes with a Closing Dinner Reception (pending sponsorship.)
An eight-person Tours Organizing Committee meets virtually on a regular basis.
The Tours is open to Global LAI members and a guest.
REGISTER HERE Sponsorship opportunities are detailed HERE
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Professional Advisory Delegation (PAD)
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Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based Solutions PAD
As a precursor to the February 25 – 27, 2026 One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours, the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter hosts a Professional Advisory Delegation (PAD) on
Wednesday, February 25 from 9 am – 4 pm. The PAD focus is on local Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based-Solutions. A LAI PAD is a group of prominent members from around the globe who provide expertise and advice on land- and water-related issues.
The PAD agenda consists of three morning speakers followed by a brainstorming session during lunch. Morning presentation topics include Coastal Water Dynamics, Surface Water (Sarasota Bay, Gulf, Inland Waters), and Local & Regional Economics. After lunch, Jim Musbach, Managing Principal at Economic & Planning Systems and Golden Gate Chapter member, leads the afternoon strategy session. Land and Water Economics are the common thread within the PAD–strategy points.
The PAD is open to Global LAI members.
REGISTER HERE
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Chapter members: consider joining one of the ad hoc committees and/or the Tours Organizing Committee! Potential chapter members: LAI FL Suncoast Chapter membership is via a sponsored nomination by an existing member. As a nearly 95-years-old land economics honorary, LAI-member criteria includes ten-years of experience in land economics-based professional endeavors as well distinguished achievements. For further information, please contact Chapter President Holly Elmore via info provided below.
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